Mechanical shovel



May 13, 1958 c. J. DAVIS 2,834,489

MECHANICAL SHOVEL Filed June 21, 1956 IN V EN TOR.

ATTORN CHARLES J. DAWS MECHANICAL SHOVEL Charles J. Davis, Wichita,Kans, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Massey-Harris-Ferguson lite,Racine, Wis., a corporation of Maryland Application June 21, 1956,Serial No. 592,805?

Claims. (Cl. 214-138) This invention relates generally to mechanicalshovels of a portable character capable of being operated at the rearend of a vehicle, the invention pertaining more particularly to suchapparatus in which the boom thereof may be selectively mounted at anyone of several locations on its supporting frame so as to achievegreater angles of swing.

In carrying out earth moving operations involving the use of amechanical shovel of the above-mentioned type, it has been a difficultproblem to rotate the boom supporting the shovel through the mostoptimum arcs that might be required. Consequently, it is frequentlynecessary to maneuver the vehicle itself with which the mechanicalshovel is associated so as to permit the shovel to reach in all possibleangular directions. Not only is the maneuvering of the vehicle a timeconsuming proposition, usually necessitating a lifting andre-orientation of the shovels supporting frame too, but frequently it sohappens that obstacles such as trees and the like interfere with orprevent entirely this type of maneuvering.

Also, certain digging operations lend themselves more readily to havingthe boom situated nearer one side of the vehicle than the other. Inregard to this latter operation, the digging of a trench alongside thevehicle can be facilitated if the boom is pivotable through an areadjacent that particular side. Yet at times it will be desirable toshift or change this arc for some reason due to the encountering of anobstacle, such as a wall or fence, on the side of the trench on whichthe vehicle has been placed initially.

Accordingly, one important object of the present invention is to providea portable mechanical shovel for use with a tractor or the like whichwill permit a high degree of versatility or latitude as far as obtainingoptimum swings of the shovels boom. More specifically, it is an aim ofthe invention to employ a single boom but to permit it to be relocatedat any one of several vantage points so that trenches may be dug alongeither side of the vehicle or through a rearward arc subtending bothsides. Stated somewhat differently, it is planned that the shovel becapable of digging in an arc of 360 about the vehicle.

Another object of the invention is to permit selective relocation of thebooms lower end in a facile and rapid manner, thereby avoiding workstoppages of any significanoe during an arc change over.

A further object of the invention is to provide a frame and swivel postcombination that is relatively simple in its construction andinexpensive to fabricate.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a mechanical shovelhaving the foregoing desirable attributes that will also be rugged andreliable, being capable of shouldering the large impact loads to whichthe structure will at times be subjected.

The invention, together with other objects attending its production,will be more clearly understood when the following description is readin connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

2,834,489 Patented May 13, 1958 Figure 1 is a perspective view of amechanical shovel exemplifying the teachings of the instant invention,the view showing the shovel mechanism orientated with respect to therear wheels of a vehicle depicted in dotted outline form;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a hydraulic motor for actuating theboom of Figure 1 into various angular positions, portions thereof beingcut away in order to reveal the internal construction of the motor, and

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the shovel mechanism in association witha vehicle in the form of a tractor, the dotted outline positions of theshovel at either side illustrating the more extreme angular swingsselectively possible with my mechanical shovel.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, the invention is illustrated inassociation with a tractor indicated generally by the numeral 10, thetractor having a pair of spaced rear wheels 12. The tractor 10 isequipped with a hydraulic pressure system from which boom actuatingpower can be obtained via appropriate control valves (not shown).

The apparatus constituting the mechanical shovel has been indicated inits entirety by the numeral 14. Suitable tie rods 16 extend from thetractor 10 to a generally rectangular frame 18 forming part of theshovel mechanism 14, the tie rods serving to maintain the frame verticaland normal to the longitudinal axis of the tractor. The frame 18includes a trio of vertical studs 20, 22 and 24 connected by upper andlower transverse members 26, 28 to form the unitary frame structure.Although the reason therefor will become clearer as the descriptionprogresses, it is to be observed at this time that the frame is ofsuificient transverse length to extend beyond the sides of the tractor10. Additional rigidity may be incorporated into the frame 18 by meansof diagonal struts 3t 32. While not of particular importance to anunderstanding of the present invention, the studs 20, 24 are ofrectangular cross-section, having leg elements 34, 36 telescopicallyreceived therein at their lower ends. By means of the adjustabilityimparted to these leg elements 34, 36 the frame 18 may be maintainedlevel irrespective of the unevenness of the local terrain.

Projecting from the lower transverse member 28 in cantilever fashion isa centrally located relatively short beam 38 comprised of upper andlower horizontal flange plates 40, 42 and vertically disposed web plates44, 46, the plate 40 having a slot 48 therein and the webs 44, 46 beingspaced slightly apart for the reception of a downwardly directed ear(not visible) carried at the lower end of an upright swivel postassembly denoted by the reference numeral 50. By reason of a shorttransverse pin 52 extending through the webs 44, 46 and the eartherebetween the swivel post assembly 50 is anchored at its lower end,inasmuch as it is planned that the beam 38 be fixedly attached to thetransverse member 28, as by welding. Thus it will be recognized that thebeam 38 functions as a seat for the swivel post assembly 50.

An upper support for the swivel post assembly 50 is also provided, thissupport being in the form of a clevis element 54 welded or otherwisesecured to the upper transverse member 26. As best seen from Figure 2the swivel post assembly 50 is equipped with a cooperable tongue element56 transversely apertured at 58 for the accommodation of a pin 60therethrough, the pin 60 engaging the clevis element 54 to complete theconnective support at the upper end of the assembly 50.

It may be explained that the assembly 50 includes'a post 62 journaledfor rotation about a vertical axis, the axis being maintained verticalowing to the supporting action supplied by the members 38 and 54. Thespecific bearing arrangement for the swivel post 62 is of course notessential to a practicing of the invention. However, it is to be notedthat the post 62 has a clevis element 64 near its lower end to which ispivotally connected by means of a pin 66 the lower end of a boomassembly 68. Another clevis element 70, aifixedto the swivel post nearerits upper end, has pivotally connected thereto by means of a pin 72 oneend of a hydraulic cylinder 74, the other or piston rod end of thecylinder 74 being pivotally connected to the boom assembly 68 at a locus76 considerably removed from the pin 66.

The free end of the boom 68 assembly pivotally supports a shovel arm'78at 80, actuation of this arm being by way of a hydraulic cylinder 82.The lower end of the arm 78 pivotally carries a shovel or scoop 84,still another hydraulic cylinder 86 supplying the actuating force forpivoting the scoop 84 relative to its arm 78. As mentioned earlierherein, the tractor is equipped with a pumping systemcapable offurnishing fluid under pressure, this fluid being supplied to thehydraulic cylinders V 74, 82,86 by flexible tubes (not shown).

This same pumping system also furnishes the fluid for the swinging ofthe boom 68 assembly about its vertical axis. To accomplish this, aself-contained positioning means, designated generally by the referencenumeral 87, is utilized. The positioning means 87 includes aconventional vane motor 88 (shown to better advantage in Figure 2)having an outer casing or cylinder 90 welded or otherwise secured to thetongue 56. Internally, the cylinder 90 carries a fixed vane 92, a pairof bolt elements 94 maintaining this fixed relationship. concentricallydisposed within the cylinder 90 is a rotor 96 having a vane 98 fixedlyattached thereto. By means of a plurality of inwardly directed bolts 100the rotor 96 is drivingly connected to the upper end of the swivel post62. The cylinder is provided with a head 102 and by means of a seal 104retention of the fluid supplied via either of the tubes 106, 108 isassured. It Will of course be perceived that the tube 106 leads to oneside of the fixed vane 92 and the tube 108 to the other. One tube willbe used for pressure and the other as a return, and vice-versa dependingupon which rotative direction is desired. Inasmuch as the boom 68assembly is attached to the swivel post 62, asalready described, it willbe appreciated that the boom and its supported shovel or scoop 84 willmove in rotative unison with the post 62. It might also be explainedthat a seat structure 110 surmounts the swivel post 62 and is likewisemoved in unison therewith, thereby automatically guiding the operatorsline of sight in the direction of the shovel 84 which he is controlling.

Directing attention to Figure 3, it will be observed that the swing ofthe boom assembly 68 is severely limited by reason of the frame 18,.anarc of approximately 180 being possible when the centrally located seatconnection 38 is utilized. However, through the medium of additionalseats 38a and 38b secured to the sides of the studs and 24, the swivelpost, together with the boom 68 assembly and its supported shovel 84,can be relocated as a unit. To do this, all that need be done is toremove the pins 52, 60, then inserting them in either one of the beams34a, 34b and the corresponding clevis elements 54a, 54b, these variousseats and clevis elements being duplicates of the earlier mentioned seatformed by the beam 38 and the clevis element 54.

Reference to Figure 3 at this time will give an excellent idea as to theextent that the relocation of the swivel post 62 to either end of theframe 18 will increase the angular swing of the boom 68 assembly. Asillustrated, when the swivel post assembly has been moved to the leftside, i. e. received in the seat 3811, the boom 68 as-.

sembly may be swung to a position slightly beyond parallelism with thelongitudinal axis of the tractor 10, whereas a corresponding positionmay be reached when the seat 38b is utilized. Owing to the fact that thewidth of the frame 18 is greater than the spacing between the wheels 12,it will be appreciated that either of the extreme boom swings may bereached without interference. In other words, by properly selecting theseat locations, arcs of 360 can be realized.

Having described the invention with sufficient clarity to enable thosefamiliar with this art to construct and use it, I claim:

1. A mechanical shovel attachment for a wheeled vehicle comprising: anupright transversely elongated frame; means rigidly connecting saidframe to a Wheeled vehicle supporting the frame in a fixed uprightposition transverse to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, said frameextending beyond the opposite sides of the vehicle; a unitary shovelactuating boom assembly; an upright swivel post to which said boomassembly is connected and about which said boom assembly may pivot on avertical axis; an ear depending from said post; a tonguesecured to theupper end of said post; a plurality of spaced ear receiving and postsupporting seats carried by said frame including at least one seat nearone end of said frame located beyond the adjacent side of said vehicle;a clevis secured to said frame at the upper end thereof overlying eachof said seats; means securing said tongue in a selected clevis; andmeans for securing said ear'and hence the entire boom assembly in theone of said seats underlying said selected clevis.

2. A mechanical shovel attachment for a wheeled vehicle comprising: agenerally rectangular frame including an upright stud at each end andupper and lower transverse members connecting with said studs; meansrigidly connecting said frame to a wheeled vehicle for supporting saidframe in a fixed upright position transverse to the longitudinal axis ofthe vehicle, said frame having the studs thereof disposed beyond theopposite sides of the vehicle; a unitary shovel actuating boom assembly;an upright swivel post to which said boom assembly is connected andabout which said boom assembly may pivot on a vertical axis; an eardepending from said post; a tongue secured 'to the upper end of saidpost; a pinrality of seat means including a first relatively short beamprojecting horizontally from said lower transverse member intermediatethe ends thereof, a second relatively short beam projecting horizontallyfrom one of said studs and a third relatively short beam projectinghorizontally from the other of said studs; means for securing said eardepending from said swivel post and hence the entire boom assembly to aselected one of said seat means;

a clevis secured to the upper end of said frame overlying each of saidseat means; and means detachably securing said tongue to the clevisoverlying the selected one of said seat means.

3. In a mechanical shovel attachment mounted on a vehicle, thecombination comprising a shovel actuating boom assembly including aswivel post on which a boom is mounted for swinging movement about avertical axis, said assembly including self-contained positioning meanscoupling said post and the swingable boom for adjustably positioning theboom about said vertical axis, said attachrnent including a first seatextending beyond one end of said vehicle and having means for releasablylocking said post therein in non-rotative, upright position, and a pairof additional seats extending beyond opposite lateral sides of saidvehicle so that the boom assembly and its selfcontained positioningmeans can be selectively located for working throughout an arcencompassing each of said sides and said end of the vehicle by lockingsaid swivel post in a selected one of said seats.

4. In a mechanical shovel attachment, mounted on a vehicle, thecombination comprising an upright, rigid frame mounted transversely onthe vehicle and being of sufiicient length to extend laterally beyondthe opposite vehicle sides, a shovel-actuating boom assembly includingan upright swivel post on which a boom is mounted for swinging movementabout a vertical axis, a first seat extending from said frameintermediate its ends and having means for releasably locking said posttherein in nonrotative, upright position, said assembly includingselfcontained positioning means coupling said post and the swingableboom for adjustably positioning the boom about said vertical axis, and apair of additional seats, similar to said first seat, being fixed one ateach of said opposite laterally extending ends of said frame, so thatthe boom assembly and its self-contained positioning means can beselectively located for working throughout an arc encompassing each ofsaid opposite sides and one end of the vehicle by locking said swivelpost in alternate ones of said seats.

5. An attachment for mounting, to a vehicle, a boom actuating andsupporting assembly including a boom structure supported by a swivelpost for swinging movement about a generally vertical axis, saidattachment including a first seat for supporting a swivel post so that aboom structure may extend beyond an end of a vehicle, said attachmentbeing of suflicient size to extend beyond each side of a vehicle andterminate in end portions each having an additional seat for supportinga swivel post so that a boom structure may extend along each side of avehicle, whereby a swivel post may be selectively located in any one ofsaid seats so that a boom structure, supported thereby, may be operativethroughout an arc encompassing each side and an end of the vehicle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

